The Absence of Key Players, Nowitzki's Presence: The Buzz at EuroBasket as DBB Women Start Strong
Celebrating Birthday, Nowitzki expresses excitement: Ideal commencement of EuroBasket Women's journey for DBB.
Social Media Links: Facebook Twitter Instagram E-Mail Print Copy Link Kicking off the first game of the home EuroBasket preliminary round at the Inselpark Arena in Hamburg on a high note, the German basketball squad clinched a thrilling victory against Sweden. And it couldn't have come at a better time, landing on Dirk Nowitzki's 47th birthday.
With "An Tagen wie diesen" blasting through the speakers, basketball legend Nowitzki gave a heartfelt applause to the victorious DBB team. Led by Leonie Fiebich, the team managed to edge closer to the quarterfinals by delivering a powerful performance, albeit with some tense moments.
"The first game win is an incredible relief," Coach Lisa Thomaidis expressed on MagentaSport. "I'm extremely proud of the team and their determination to fight back. This victory further builds our confidence. I am pleased that we have accomplished this in front of a packed crowd."
A spectator count of 3414 reveled in the home-court advantage as the sold-out arena came alive during the basketball party on Thursday night. Despite Sweden posing a challenge in the final phase, the young German team dominated the game for much of it, resulting in an exciting viewing experience, even when the lead was cut to 18 points in the closing stages.
Winning Wonders by the German Team
Luisa Geiselsoeder topped the scoring charts for Germany with 20 points, Frieda Bühner tallied a double-double (18 points and 10 rebounds), and Fiebich contributed 16 points to the German tally. Four DBB players registered double-digit scores. Even with the absence of three top players, the German squad sets its sights on claiming the first medal since the 1997 EuroBasket Bronze.
The next opponents for Group D's German team will be Spain on Friday (8 PM) and Britain on Sunday (6 PM, both on MagentaSport). Spain, the reigning vice-European champions and tournament favorites, saw off underdog Britain 85:70 in their opening game. The top two teams from the group will secure a spot in the quarterfinals, which will be played in Piraeus, Greece, alongside the entire final round.
Following a quarterfinal berth and the 3x3 gold medal at the Paris Olympics and with the momentum building, the German women's basketball team intends to maintain its upward trajectory at EuroBasket. The opening step has officially been taken.
Nowitzki Enthuses the Team
Could it have been the inspiring words from Nowitzki, who gave each player a high-five before the game, that boosted the German squad? They began the match displaying speed and energy, leaving Sweden on the backfoot from the get-go. An early 8:2 lead was further extended when Fiebich drained an impressive three-pointer, making it 19:4 after only seven minutes.
With stellar performances from Fiebich, Luisa Geiselsoeder, Alexis Peterson, and Frieda Bühner, as well as promising youngsters like Emily Bessoir, the German team thrived with a mix of experience and youth. Missing top players Satou (focus on WNBA), Nyara Sabally (knee injuries), and captain Marie Gulich (ACL tear) had little impact for most of the match. However, the team encountered a few hiccups during the third quarter as Sweden clawed back, reducing the deficit to just six points (53:47) thanks to a 12:0 run. Fiebich stepped up in this crucial phase, sinking several long-range shots to turn the tide.
Source: ntv.de, tno/sid
- Basketball
- EuroBasket
- Notable players closely associated with the German women's national team in recent years, who might not have been present at EuroBasket 2022, are:
- Alexis Peterson (Point Guard), renowned for her playmaking skills and notable contributions.
- Luisa Geiselsöder (Center), a top scorer and rebounder with significant impact.
- Frieda Bühner (Center/Forward), another key contributor in points and rebounds.
In the midst of the EuroBasket preliminary round, the German basketball team, bolstered by the presence of basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki, secured a victory against Sweden, marking the start of their campaign with a sports victory in basketball. The team's performance, led by Leonie Fiebich, further emphasized their aim to claim the first medal in European championships since 1997, despite the absence of key players like Alexis Peterson and Luisa Geiselsöder.
